The Merchant of Venice

Description

By William Shakespeare

Bassanio needs money to court Portia, a wealthy heiress in Belmont, and his friend Antonio’s capital is all at sea. They borrow from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender Antonio has publicly insulted for years, and Shylock asks for no interest, only a pound of Antonio’s flesh if the loan is not repaid.

The ships do not come in. What follows is a courtroom, a disguised Portia, a plea for mercy, and a judgement that has troubled audiences for four centuries. This edition includes an introduction covering recent scholarship and notable stage and screen productions.